Everyone can be a leader

Every time you inspire someone, or listen to them, or come up with a great idea, you’re effectively holding up a light to show the way. You’re leading.

If you want to inspire others and make a difference Girlguiding is the best place to be - whatever your leadership style!

Take our quiz to find out whether you're a Facilitator, an Assured Leader or a Team Player.

What your results mean

Your leadership style

You’re most comfortable when you give others the freedom to perform tasks on their own. This is great for emboldening people – your approach helps to bring out the best in everyone. You don’t mind if people make mistakes because you know it means they’re trying new things.

Psychologist Kurt Lewin called this style ‘laissez faire’, and it’s ideal for working with a group of self-motivated people you know you can rely on.

How it might be adapted

Many people respond well to a hands off style of leadership, but others might need more support to build their confidence. If you see this happening, why not adopt a more Assured Leader approach and offer some thoughtful advice? You could also adopt this more decisive style when you need to complete a task accurately and quickly, or if safety is key and there isn’t time to discuss the decision with others.

The perfect Girlguiding role for you

You are made for supporting skilled volunteers! Try out the Assistant Commissioner or Commissioner role to empower a local team of volunteers to create opportunities for girls and young women.

You’ll have fun getting to know the volunteers while giving them space to come up with fresh ideas.

Join us in encouraging girls

Your leadership style

You’re a confident, positive leader. People often look up to you because they admire your vision, and you’re happy to provide constructive criticism to help others grow. You’re clear about what needs to be achieved, and you’re a motivating presence in working towards a common goal.

Lewin referred to this an autocratic style, and it can be ideal when a decision is difficult or needs to be reached quickly.

How it might be adapted

People need to feel comfortable to challenge ideas and make their own mistakes, so take a leaf out of the Team Player’s book by asking for input from, and listening to, everyone in the group. Feeling included and free to speak up will boost wellbeing and motivation.

It’s great to encourage girls to let their voices be heard. There are ideas for getting them thinking and talking under the 'Girls in the lead' category of the Activity Finder.

The perfect Girlguiding role for you

You were made to lead and take decisions so you would make a great Coordinator. This role could see you managing an event, running communications or recruiting new volunteers.

An Assured Leader-type is often well suited to this role, because it requires enthusiastic, confident and proactive decision-making. Within this position you’ll need to be consistently clear about your aims to make sure that what needs doing gets done!

Use your confidence to empower girls - volunteer

Your leadership style

You thrive when you’re working as part of a team, discussing things and making decisions as a group. Known as the democratic method by Lewin, it helps to create a sense of collective achievement. It makes people feel valued and, as a result, they’re moreengaged and productive.

You listen attentively and accept suggestions easily, but have the final say, which is important for providing overall guidance.

How it might be adapted

Occasionally, so much time can be spent talking things through that no consensus is reached, and no clear way forward is discovered. If you find this happening, you could find it handy to try out a few tactics from the Facilitator style. Giving each person their own role can allow them to be more creative and make decisions independently. You can then step in to offer guidance only when it is needed.

The perfect Girlguiding role for you

You would love being an Assistant Leader. You'll share the responsibility of planning and leading exciting activities for girls with a Unit Leader. Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and The Senior Section units depend on great team work, so the ability to get along with everyone is essential.

A Team Player’s determination to put every person’s talent to good use will also be highly valued, and helps girls to discover their full potential.